Biomass installation adds to builders merchants eco credentials
| Client | Builders merchants, Nottingham |
| We installed... | ETA 130 HACK - a 130kw multi-fuel boiler with 5,000 litre insulated buffer vessel, and wireless and app controls |
| Annual fuel saving | £2,000 |
| Annual RHI income | £8,500 - which all adds up to £210,000 over 20 years |
Our client takes their responsibility to the environment seriously. They had already fitted a 400-panel photovoltaic system to their headquarters in Nottingham as part of their ambition to become one of the country’s most eco-friendly builders merchants, so continuing to use kerosene to heat their three-bay HGV garage (2000m3) was not acceptable.
We were invited to help with the project and asked to give details of the various options available to achieve the goal of a ‘greener’ heating system.
Because of the size of the building, vehicle movements in and out and the high heat loss from the garage, we recommended a biomass boiler. For ease of fuel loading and efficiency, wood pellet was the chosen fuel.
A biomass boiler, unit heater and solar thermal combined set-up
Two Grant Spira boilers giving a maximum output of 72kw at 97% efficiency were installed to run as one unit, with each one modulating down to 9kw. This makes the system versatile to cover times of low heat requirement. Grant boilers are manufactured in the UK so getting any parts in the future would not be an issue and their Spira boilers are based on their award-winning, market-leading oil condensing boilers.
The boilers were coupled to Jaga unit heaters each with a maximum output of 12Kw yet only containing 2 litres of water, which allows for fast and responsive heating. Because they only weigh 22kg, they’re versatile for fixing to all structures and buildings.
During the installation period, and in line with the business’s commitment to looking after their people, the directors also decided to improve working conditions for the staff. A traditional wet heating system was installed in the welfare areas powered by the Grant boilers. The boilers also provide hot water to these areas via a hot water cylinder that uses solar thermal technology to heat water during the summer to save on use of wood pellet fuel.
A commitment to the environment that pays handsomely
The financial rewards via the governments Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) will give an income stream in the region of £8,500 per year plus a fuel saving of at least £2,000 per year.
The payback on this green energy installation is less than three years, yet the government’s payments are guaranteed for 20 years. It’s a no-brainer…
